John Maxwell Miller II

John Maxwell Miller II, 57, ascended into a star filled Heaven on Saturday, July 25th, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, a multitude of friends and his devoted pets Sirius, Lyra, Orion and Carina. He named all his pets after stars, constellations, and deep space objects as an ode to his lifelong passion for Astronomy. He was a Warrior to the end and battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia along with many rare co-morbidities triggered by the Leukemia. His family will forever be proud of how hard he fought to stay.

John had many passions and gave his whole heart to each of them. He truly was a Renaissance Man. Aside from his love of the stars and his insane talent for Astrophotography, he was a poet, an artist specializing in watercolor painting, a collector of fine watches, an avid indoor and outdoor gardener with some of his houseplants being over 40 years old, and a lover of 80s music- especially Eddie Money. He loved to travel and visited nearly all the National Parks with his beloved Wendy. Camping, hiking, kayaking, riding his motorcycle every chance he got and never missed a chance to argue about politics online. His passions ran deep in politics because John was bullied as a child, and it changed who he was forever. His passion for those he felt were wronged gave him strong opinions about the world and he followed politics and current events fervently. Although he graduated from the University of Alabama with his Masters of Library and Information Sciences, he would make sure everyone knew he was born an Auburn Tiger.

He was a proud graduate of Litchfield High School class of 1986 where he served as Salutatorian and Class President. He received his Undergraduate Degree from Birmingham Southern College and was grieved when it closed. He then graduated with his Masters Degree from the University of Alabama. One of his greatest passions was educating and mentoring students as the Director of Library Services at Snead State Community College in Boaz for over 25 years. His strongest desire was to see young people succeed and thrive. When his beloved Library was dismantled several years ago to move to a digital format, it was almost more than he could bear.

John’s greatest passion of all was his family. He was hopelessly devoted to his wife Wendy, sons, grandsons, and daughters-in-love. There was nothing he would not do for any of them, and he was their everything.

John is brokenheartedly survived by his wife, and best friend of 20 years, Wendy Choate Miller, his three children, Justin (Kayla) Murphree, Dalton Murphree, and Logan (Ari) Murphree. He will forever miss and be missed by his beloved grandsons Abel Benjamin Murphree and Jonah Maxwell Murphree. He was the most amazing Pops. He is also survived by his nieces Tammy Beard and Kristi Jones who he cherished since childhood. His father-in-law and mother-in-law Tim and Nelda Choate who became his parents and loved him like a son, nephew Bradley Holland and niece Julie Holland who he loved like a son and daughter, great nephews, Snead State coworkers/friends, bowling league partners, his KickAS family, friends and extended family will feel his loss eternally.

Sidney (Stephanie) Patterson provided him with the greatest friendship and support of his life and was truly his brother.

The family would like to thank the thousands of people who have followed John’s battle online and supported them through this war, and the many friends who visited him at the hospital or at home in his last days. A very special thank you to Vann Scott, Michael Gibson and Amanda Gunnels from Snead State for their help and kindness in navigating through his retirement.

There are too many people to thank personally, but the family especially thanks Cassie Thornton with Adoration Hospice for standing with us in our grief during his last moments. While the healthcare system failed John in many ways, his ardent and caring friends and family never wavered. Rest in Paradise, my Love.

Our eternal appreciation to:

Officiant: Reverend Russ Mathis

Pallbearers: Sidney Patterson, Alexander Patterson, Tim Freeman, Chris Moon, DJ Jones and Jamie Jones

Honorary Pallbearers: Rod Weems and Greg Moore